Fusion 360 Post Processor Walkthrough

[@timmallard5360]

This is such an Awesome walk through of post processors! I have been wanting to learn more about this

[@mannycalavera121]

Thanks a lot for going through this in so much detail. I'm a 1st Year adult Machinist Apprentice and need to tweak a Heidenhain PP without any background in JAVA. Your in depth explanation gave me enough knowledge to tackle the simple modification myself and now works great. Thanks Again.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Your welcome, thanks for the feedback

[@daveanderson2316]

Manny, What did you tweak? I also need to edit my Heidenhain. I need to figure out how to replace a M91 with a M06 on my tool change line.

[@jeffbeck6501]

Great point about adding tabs in the comments messing things up. It also gives you a little insight to how the code is working undernearth.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Yeah, that one burned up an evening trying to figure out why my code would not load!

[@Tresoroeffnung]

Great video! Can you tell us how you setup notepad++ to highlight the post like that? Thank you!

[@ilovetechnology8436]

Two thumbs up !!! Great overview !!!

[@jaredfaustino6493]

i cant figure out how (@36:56) to change the coolant on command after it go to its initial plane. can you( or anyone)help me figure that out???? tia

[@Phoenix1337]

2021 still a good overview

[@phily-ue6et]

How do the post processors handle datum tracking commands such as Plane Spatial or G68.2 and how are functions such as high speed tolerance cycles and tool checking passed through from the cam and into the cnc code when it becomes tool specific. Also, can the posts output theoretical datums from the cam and simulation into the cnc code. Thanks

[@bikefarmtaiwan1800]

Super informational....slowly growing a base knowledge of post processing so you have helped lots with that! Would you be able to recommend a free-standing configureable post processor?

[@car9167]

Can you use the post processor to change for instance T1 to G122 T1 everywhere in the generated G code? My CNC controller does nothing on T (tool change) instruction but the umbrella type magazine works with G122?

[@green323turbo]

Where can you set the Gcode allowed.. EG: which drilling or tapping cycles your machine support. Or whether your machine supports G41 or G42 cutter offset. How do you turn these on or off ?

[@StarstoneSilvermoon]

Have you had the code "Failed to invoke 'onopen' in the post configuration for mach 3? It seems to do it when I am woking with 4th axis on stl files. When I model something up like a cylinder, then it posts fine. Help please...

[@tf1977sled]

i have an anilam crusader m control that uses G29 for special variable entry like for a drill cycle to enter variables like how many times to peck or how many revolutions for a spiral. The controll takes the G29 and the v how would i set up the post to have fusion do that. also to add a list of variable registers some are dedicated for canned cycles. plus there are extra address words used like S,C,D,LV,and E used for subroutines,Call,Do loops load variables. i have a post file you could look at thats close but needs some extra tweaks to be complete this post is for anilam crusader II and the m series controllers

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

You will need to mod the post, you can send me an email if you would like me to look at it.

[@tf1977sled]

At-Man Unlimited Machining could you ive been struggling with it for 2 months can i get your email?

[@kentdesautel5404]

Great Job on this Video... I was trying to figure out how to add code to turn my Haas Chip Auger on and off and after watching your video I was successful in making the changes to the post processor. One follow up question.... I would like to insert comment lines above any lines that I edit. what character needs to be added ahead of the comment so that the post processer ignores that comment line?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

You can use "//" at any point on a line and anything after the "//" will be ignored by the post. You should see comments in all the posts.

[@krisdmeredith]

Extremely Impressive!

[@franciscocuan1154]

Hello, I am having hard time enabling 5Axis to my post processor (fusion 360 - mach3mill). head-to-head, Aaxis is mounted to Z and B is mounted to A. I am controlling the CNC with mach3. I will really appreciate. By the way, Your video is awesome! Thank you in advance and for share.

[@luke1811]

The newest Fadal post processor has the G17 plane function for function OnCycle. According to the change log they updated it long ago. Do you still use your customized Fanuc post processor or are you using the newest Fadal one? If not, could you test it and review it from a Software Engineer's/Genius standpoint? :-)

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Hello Luke, I did some testing for Autodesk a while back. The last post I tested last summer had many of the bugs fixed. I still use my own post but I added fixes to it as well.

[@DocMicha]

Hi, very good video. I am using a homemade cnc and need to get rid of on special GCode. It is the folowing line: G18 G3 Z-1. R0.5 The problem is, I get an error, because there is no x-Value specified, so teh correct code for my GCode-interpreter would be: G18 G3 X0.5 Z-1. R0.5 if the X coordinate before is e.g. 0. So iI have to add the endpoint of the radius to the X before. Do you think I can modify certain Gcode-Parameters within the PP of Fusion?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Hello DocM Thanks for the feedback You can try two things, first see if there is a setting for "Allow radius" or something of that sort in your post config. This will force the post to use i,j,k values rather the R values. Second thing to try, a little harder, you can add the forcexyz function to your G3 code output. This will make the post always output all 3 axis if they change or not.

[@DocMicha]

You are faster as light! I am here in Germany and look at you very informative video the second and third time Thank A lot, I will try it out immediatley.

[@vincomens]

Hello. Very informative video. Great work. I am wondering, is it possible to add 5 axis machining capability to the software?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Most of the posts are already setup for 5 axis, but currently Fusion 360 does not support true 5 axis machining. There was a beta of 3+2 for a while, don't know if its still available in the settings at this point. I think HSMworks supports 5 axis and they use almost the same posts.

[@vincomens]

Interesting. I currently use Egecam and Gibbscam. But was curious because I really like the user interface in Fusion 360.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

If you go into your fusion settings under preview, you will see a check box for 3+2 machining. Reading the road map update for 9-2016 5 axis is coming, but no time line is given.

[@RodAcevedo-mm7ie]

Hi, what do I have to change to get the G code in incremental mode? Thanks for your attention.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Hello, I'm not sure, I never looked into that. The only time I used incremental mode was for sub routines when I was hand coding. Most posts are not setup to use sub routines so I don't know if there would be any benefit to using incremental moves?

[@Cornpop1234]

I need to add this code before and after M3. For a linuxcnc plasma cutter. This is because the plasma torch probes the surface of the medal before cutting. G38.2 Z-1.0 F5 G10 L20 P0 Z-0.25 G0 Z0.12 M3 G04 P2 G0 Z0.06 I am looking at the posts fusion has under cutting and using generic burny plasma

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Every post is a little different, but that should be in the OnSection function.

[@Cornpop1234]

Ok I will look

[@danielkitson6878]

hi there, great video and as i am new to fusion 360 this is a lot of help with setting up my mach 3 mill post, my question is that when i post a file it adds g94 and g49 to the start of the file, which if removed the file runs great, can you please tell where in the post this is likely to be add and how to safely remove it please, thanks Daniel

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

+Daniel Kitson Thanks for the question Daniel I looked at the Mach3Mill.cps post that is standard with Fusion 360. Before removing those commands make sure there really causing the issues you are having. Those are pretty standard codes to have for an initialization line. G94 is setting the controller to use Feed rate Units of Inches per Minute. G49 is canceling any Tool Length Offsets It would be interesting to understand why they would be causing any issues. If you want to remove them (not recommending it) they are on line 239 in the file. If you search the file for "94" it shows up twice. Once where the modal variable is setup and once where it is being output to the file. The text "gFeedModeModal.format(94)," in the writeBlock function would need to be removed. It does 2 things; first it outputs the "G94" text into your file, second it initializes the CAM processor to use Feedrates of IPM. I tried removing it and the CAM processor seems to default to IPM when there is no line to set G94. G49 is on the same line "gFormat.format(49)," would need to be removed. This command only outputs "G49" to your file and does not affect any Modal variables. Hope this helps!

[@danielkitson6878]

I have now moved them, the reason is I made a tool change marco that works by knowing the current tool and the position I. E set g54 work offset with tool six in spindle set z zero, then move tool 5mm above the job, do t6 m6 and spindle move upto safe z -60mm in g53 ( home switches are fitted ) you change tool again to tool six and the macro returns tool six to 5mm above work, change any tool and the Marco add the tool off and returns that tool to 5mm about the job, wot was happening was g94 or g49 was adding the current tool offset to z zero maybe 129 mm ( true positive tool length) and confusing the tool change marco, now when the file runs it works OK, the file starts run to the m6 marco command and moves the head up I change the tool tell it tool is changed and the tool moves down to 5mm does that make sense to you ??

[@danielkitson6878]

Ps I have removed it where it says gfeedmodemodal.format (94) when I post a file it removes it from the g code file and the looks OK to me, thanks for helping I will let you know if it makes any problems thanks dan

[@danielkitson6878]

Ppi my machine is set in mm as I am in the uk

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

+Daniel Kitson Glad I could help with the post mods. As for the tool change macro, I think I understand what your trying to do but I'm not 100% following it all. But if it's working for your situation and your making parts; you can't really argue with that. I plan on making a tool and fixture offset video shortly though, stay tuned. Tim

[@FrancoCNC]

This is an outstanding video - great job! Question: are you aware of any debugging functions in the Fusion360 post environment? Something that will show you where in the post each line of CNC code was generated. Thanks!

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Thank you Franco, Unfortunately I'm not. I have a lot of software background so I can kind of just look at it and see what is doing what. But as for a line by line debugger, I have no idea. Autodesk might have an internal tool but no idea. If you make a mistake there is an error file that will get generated and in most cases it at least tells you the line number in the post it choked on.

[@FrancoCNC]

I found an article describing how to do it. Check it out: forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-post-processor-forum/debug-in-post/td-p/6077595 I just tried it in my Mach3 post and it seem to work.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

NICE! how did you find that one? That is video worthy! There is also a Dump.cps I have been meaning to make a video on, another viewer pointed that one out at IMTS in Sept.

[@FrancoCNC]

Seems like the trick is to search using "HSMWORKS" followed by whatever you are looking for. Also - I'm totally jealous of your mill. Some day (when I have more space) I too, will own a proper VMC!

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Thanks, I will keep that in mind. And Don't be, you have some nice machines you built there!

[@DocMicha]

Sorry, I forgot the question, Do you have a Link for the HSM-Dok, I could not find it by my own recherche.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

DocM I can't find it either at this time. I think I stumbled across it late one night in the dark ally of a forum somewhere. Send me an email, address is in the about section of the channel and I added it in the video description. I will zip up the files and reply back to you.

[@jenspetersen5865]

Are you using a Fadal VMC4020 with Fusion 360, and does it work well?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

VMC15, but yes the Fadal post in fusion should work well.

[@Afraidof7]

in the post process menu under the "NC extension" it's blank, how do I change this?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Its in the top of the post look for a line, extension = "nc"

[@daveanderson2316]

Holy crap you're a genius. I have been trying to modify the F360 PP to switch a M91 with a M06.. yea. Can't figure it out. .

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Thanks Dave, but I would not go that far. Try searching your post for "91" and see what comes up.

[@daveanderson2316]

At-Man Unlimited Machining thanks. I have done that. My PP is the generic Heidenhain.cps. I went through and made all the M91 and M92 into M06, but it just keeps the M91 on my tool change line. When it comes to PP, I guess I don't know if I'm on foot or horseback :)

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Dave, I do post mods if you want to go that route. I'm very reasonably priced. Send me an email with the post, a sample of the output you get, then make a copy of it and edit it by hand with what you want. Email address is in the video description or in the about section for the channel. Tim

[@eloymarquez4783]

Great stuff! Thank you!

[@jeffbeck6501]

also, thanks for the tip about Notepad++. I subscribed.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Thank you Jeff, in the newer version of notepad++ they added a view for "Functions" where it lists all the functions in a code file and you can double click on them to jump to that section.

[@christianrutschmann3447]

HI there, great video. helped my a lot to bring my PP running for my renkforce rf2000. however my mill is a little special when it comes to syntax and I have a issue. for example for such a line G03 X129.587 Y79.223 Z27.459 I-0.109 J1.504 X129.653 Y79.231 Z27.357 I-0.132 J1.502 since there is the G03 missing on the second line my mill is unable to interpret the code. is there an easy way to bring the G0x to every line of the code? Could not find the function that actually creates this part of code. best regards

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Christian, G03 should be a "Modal" code, meaning that if its on the first line the machine should assume the next line is also a G03 if there is no G code on that line. You can modify the processor to always output the G code on the line. There is a section of the code that actually outputs the lines of code for G0, 1, 2, 3 and it calls a modal function. That would need to be replaced with a standard output to always print the G code in the output file. Let me know if that helps.

[@christianrutschmann3447]

I know that its "Modal" issue is that my machine does not assume that meaning is not working like that. It's realy special about that. I tried locate those lines and replace the modal functions, but could not find them. Apart from the start and end code I did not modify much from the template you used. Could you tell me which is the modal function you mean?

[@christianrutschmann3447]

got it replaced the gMotionModal.format by gFormat.format and everything is working

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Awesome, nice work. If you need anymore help feel free to send an email and let me know which post you started with.

[@somejimmydude2121]

thanks for this dude

[@viharpatel8195]

Which post processor should I use in fusion 360for haas rotary table with A and C axis?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Not sure on that one. I think there is one 5 axis Haas post for the umc. You may need to generate a custom post for your setup.

[@viharpatel8195]

At-Man Unlimited Machining : I got the post “ Haas for trunnion” . I have one question. Should I have to put my g54 at the center of rotation of my rotary table or I can put on top face of my part?

[@FuturefabOrgUk]

Fantastic resource, thanks very much! I'm trying to kick the Heidenhain post into talking to our TNC320 - no joy yet sadly!

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Thanks, If you need additional help send me an email. I have been doing a few posts for people lately.

[@FuturefabOrgUk]

Wow, I might just take you up on that. Thank so much. I've got a few vids of our setup on my channel if you're interested. Weirdly I had it working with HSMworks but it's not yet playing ball with F360. The code looks sound then the controller says "feedrate cannot be zero" - I suspect the post is not outputting the feedrate in the right places. I've got a few things to try tomorrow when I get to the workshop. Might even just try ISO/GCODE instead of messing with the Klartext .h files. I make a few KZbin videos so I know the effort that goes into them! Thanks so much for putting the time in :)

[@daveanderson2316]

FutureFab CNC & 3D Printing I am running a tnc 151 with no trouble, did you get yours sorted out?

[@Fischer977]

im trying to use the built in okuma post for my lathe and it doesn't work. any ideas?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

"Doesn't work" is a bit to general, what specifically does not work correctly?

[@Fischer977]

it seems like it isn't fully configed. thanks for your help

[@Fischer977]

when i hit "post" all it says : Information: Configuration: Generic OKUMA Information: Vendor: OKUMA Information: Posting intermediate data to 'C:\Users\Dan\1001.MIN' Error: Failed to post process. See below for details. ... Code page changed to '1255 (ANSI - Hebrew)' Start time: Tuesday, March 21, 2017 2:30:53 PM Code page changed to '20127 (US-ASCII)' Post processor engine: 4.2.1 41304 Configuration path: C:\Users\Dan\AppData\Local\Autodesk\webdeploy\production\f9042f554b0a0c3d14c46a7d9f3679baf42fdd2d\Applications\CAM360\Data\Posts\okuma.cps Include paths: C:\Users\Dan\AppData\Local\Autodesk\webdeploy\production\f9042f554b0a0c3d14c46a7d9f3679baf42fdd2d\Applications\CAM360\Data\Posts Configuration modification date: Wednesday, February 08, 2017 1:20:56 AM Output path: C:\Users\Dan\1001.MIN Checksum of intermediate NC data: f9f1e3adca327c52753d237b354884fe Checksum of configuration: 59d6d6a5981c31989aea69b2b708f0fa Vendor url: www.okuma.com Legal: Copyright (C) 2012-2016 by Autodesk, Inc. Generated by: Fusion 360 CAM 2.0.2865 ... Error: Turning toolpath is not supported by the post configuration. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Error: Failed to invoke 'onOpen' in the post configuration. Error: Error: Failed to execute configuration. Stop time: Tuesday, March 21, 2017 2:30:53 PM Post processing failed.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

It looks like you are doing a lathe part, but that post is for a Mill. I did not see a post for an Okuma Lathe.

[@Fischer977]

At-Man Unlimited Machining thanks tim, i downloaded a new okuma generic lathe post from autodesk which seems to work, but it is not typical okuma parameters. Do you use the fusion lathe module? Im testing a few softwares besides fusion, like sprutcam,bobcad and visualturn ( don't need cad. I use cimatron and siemens nx) do you thonk fusion is better then the others?

[@ipadize]

i installed Notepad ++ but every word is grey not blue, like in your file how do i do this? also there is no "+" which i can click

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Hello, you need to tell notepad++ what language the file is. At the top menu bar, "Language" select "J" then "JavaScript". This will tell it how to format the language.

[@ipadize]

thank you :)

[@arindammajumder7781]

Post processor automatically generated g code is it true

[@JAMESHOPKINSIBXCNC]

So how does the line for the tool change code go from M6 T10 to T10 M6?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

The order in which items appear in the output file are controlled by the order in the "writeblock" function

[@JAMESHOPKINSIBXCNC]

Thanks I corrected the order and it is now outputting the code in the correct order. Seems it shouldn’t have been changed!! LOL!!!

[@willievalentin7424]

Hey budy can you do any do anything on swiss cnc programming

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

That would be interesting, I don't know if there are any posts for a Swiss type machine yet? If you have a Swiss machine and would like to try something send me an email. I can't see why it would not work.

[@travydeez]

how Would i go about changing the units to inches?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Some of the units in the post don't seem to change to inches well. There where some bugs I ran across, but it was a while ago. At the end of some of the properties you can select the units of the number.

[@DieselRamcharger]

OMFG my fusion doesnt have the open config tab! WTF!!!! lol. i need to edit the post, where do they hide it on Mac version?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

I'm not sure on the Mac, have not used them in decades. I would be surprised if the Mac version does not have the open config? The posts are stored in your user app data, don't know where that is on a mac, then in an autodesk/webdeploy/production/{GUID}/Applications/CAM360/Data/Posts Best I can do on that one

[@MisterFizz]

Ever generated and tested gcode for Stepcraft?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Hello Mike, No I have not, but looking at there manual it looks like they support general G code. So it should not be horrible difficult to mod an existing post to work.

[@MisterFizz]

I appreciate the input. Hoping to get knee deep in Fusion and the Stepcraft soon. Your opinion counts. Thanks.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Your welcome, if you need any specific help feel free to email me.

[@celal-ho6rc]

spinner tc 600 X,Z,C,E, axis.fanuc 31İTA post processor ??? HELP!! HELP!!!

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Hello, I would probably start with the generic Fanuc turning post and see what is missing or does not work. Then look at the other posts to see if they incorporate any of the other axis functionality so you can see how those are implemented. Then make your own Fanuc post that supports your different axis.

[@brennerfab770]

Thanks!

[@DieselRamcharger]

holy crap cut to the chase man

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Sorry, lots of stuff in those files. There are other videos on the post that are more targeted. This was an all inclusive over view.

[@DieselRamcharger]

its so much to absorb. my little brain. my god. its melting.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Yeah, kind of a fire hose if your not a software person. The average view time on the video is about 7 minutes. I think a lot of people skip through to find the spot there looking for then come back and watch a little at a time. I try to keep them shorter now, this was one of my first videos. Maybe I will do a set of videos, one on each function.

[@fenvesik]

The stereo sound is disorienting. If there is no reason for it, don't use it please. Your voice comes from left-right-middle changing constantly.